Located in Xi’an, China, Salone Del Salon designs The.H as a bar and restaurant space that combines references to local cultural heritage with a futuristic spatial language. Developed inside Mixc World in Yanta District, the 314-square-meter project interprets beer-brewing culture through immersive interior design, handcrafted details and symbolic architectural elements. The concept revolves around the idea of the “stick,” used as a visual and narrative device to connect craftsmanship, ritual and spatial experience.
The layout organizes circulation through layered spatial sequences
The spatial composition appears informal at first glance, yet the interior follows a carefully balanced arrangement based on symmetry and staggered alignments. The circulation system separates guest movement and service routes while maintaining visual continuity throughout the venue. This organization improves functionality and contributes to a multi-sensory hospitality experience shaped by light, materials and changing perspectives.
The design approach operates simultaneously at architectural and detail scale. Seating areas, transitions and focal points are coordinated to create a continuous dialogue between intimacy and openness, reinforcing the immersive identity of the space.
The “ZAO” concept translates craftsmanship into spatial identity
The Chinese character “造” (“ZAO”) represents handmade craftsmanship and becomes the conceptual foundation of the project. The.H integrates this principle into the interior design by referencing both the client’s technical experience in brewery production and the chef’s professional background in the United Kingdom.
The “ZAO” symbol appears repeatedly throughout the environment as a visual signature embedded into the architecture. Illuminated lettering, red-lit graphic interventions and large-scale installations transform typography into part of the spatial experience. Copper surfaces enhanced by directional lighting further reinforce the handcrafted identity of the venue.
Craft beer culture shapes materials, lighting and visual storytelling
The project draws inspiration from Belgian craft beer culture and monastic brewing traditions. Salone Del Salon abstracts these references into the metaphor of the “stick,” interpreted through vertical red lighting elements distributed across the interior.
Copper finishes contribute warm reflections and atmospheric depth, while integrated lighting transforms the vertical structures into visual landmarks within the space. The combination of metallic surfaces and controlled illumination creates strong visual contrast and establishes a distinctive hospitality environment linked to brewing culture and artisanal production.
The “stick” element functions both as an architectural motif and as a symbolic connector between past and future, tradition and experimentation.
Retro materials and futuristic elements define the hospitality atmosphere
Inspired by the Dior Fall 2021 Show, the project combines retro-inspired materials with contemporary finishes. Green terrazzo flooring, mosaic tiles and thick brown leather surfaces recall interiors from the 1960s, generating a layered and nostalgic atmosphere.
At the same time, brushed and mirrored stainless steel introduces a futuristic visual rhythm. Reflective surfaces amplify light and create dynamic spatial effects that contrast with the tactile material palette.
The dark green terrazzo flooring evokes the image of a calm lake surface and contributes to the visual continuity of the interiors. Brown volumetric blocks add material texture and chromatic balance, reinforcing the perception of depth throughout the venue.
Lighting and installations reinforce the dialogue between past and future
Lighting design plays a central role in defining the identity of The.H. White lighting highlights suspended sculptural installations, including a silver sphere characterized by folded metallic surfaces and planetary references. The object introduces an almost meditative atmosphere while reinforcing the futuristic direction of the project.
Throughout the interior, the recurring “stick” metaphor establishes a continuous dialogue between retro references and avant-garde experimentation. The design creates an immersive hospitality environment where materiality, lighting and symbolic elements guide guests through a spatial narrative connected to memory, craftsmanship and exploration.
Project details
Project: The.H
Location: Mixc World, Yanta District, Xi’an, China
Area: 314 sqm
Design firm: Salone Del Salon
Chief designer: Salone
Design team: Zheng Weibang, Li Lingfeng, Yang Jing
Photography: Cui Ziyang
Video: Zhou Zhendong
Construction: 5 Construction Co., Ltd.
Engineering consultants: Li Fei, Shen Ronghua
Main materials: copper plate, mosaic tile, terrazzo